Dylan Sampson

Dylan Sampson enters 2026 as a useful late-round fantasy target with a clearer role than his raw draft capital might suggest. In his rookie season, he produced 446 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 98 touches, but the bigger takeaway for fantasy was his receiving usage: 33 catches for 271 yards and two scores on 40 targets across 15 games.

The Browns’ backfield context matters a lot here. Quinshon Judkins is the clear lead back, but he is also coming off a dislocated ankle that ended his 2025 season, and Cleveland did not make any notable additions to the running back room while letting Jerome Ford leave in free agency. That leaves Sampson projected as the RB2, with the majority of third-down and passing-down work and some handcuff appeal if Judkins is limited or misses time.

For fantasy purposes, Sampson’s best path to value is PPR-friendly efficiency rather than pure volume. Reports from the Browns’ offseason program say he worked with the first team while Judkins continued rehabbing, and early projections still point to a receiving-heavy role around 80 carries and 34 catches if the depth chart holds. If that usage sticks, he is the kind of back who can provide usable weeks even without a big rushing workload.

The main limitation is ceiling: as long as Judkins is healthy, Sampson’s touchdown and early-down opportunities will likely stay capped. Still, his combination of role security, pass-catching ability, and handcuff value makes him a strong target in deeper leagues and a reasonable bench stash in standard-sized fantasy formats.

Updated 06/08/2026